"You've heard of them too? That mysterious organization..." Maria's voice lowered, carrying a complicated sigh. "Vincent was a scoundrel, but I have to admit, he was a capable one.
Yet even he, after accepting funding from the Holy Palace Medical Association, investigated them in secret... and found nothing."
She shook her head slightly, as if trying to cast off some invisible shadow. "Their structure, members, sphere of influence, ultimate goal... everything about them is a riddle shrouded in fog. All I know is that they seem to be interested in the Gate of the Kingdom of God, and in me... in Rigerif."
"That really is quite a troublesome organization," Amon said, though his tone was far from grave. "After all, even I can't find them."
"Not even the Secret Party can find them?" Maria looked up.
"Those people are simply too good at hiding. The Holy Palace Medical Association isn't a tightly organized entity; it's more like an infiltrating web. Their members are scattered throughout every major organization. There are people among the Secret Party's upper ranks, and people within other Hybrid organizations as well... Take Charon Vincent, for example. Isn't he both a member of your Far North and a member of the Holy Palace Medical Association?" Amon explained.
"So that's how it is..." Maria murmured, a flicker of understanding passing through her eyes. "Some shared,
deeper purpose links like-minded people together, weaving a vast net in the shadows."
She fell silent for a moment, then slowly turned her head, her gaze settling on Rigerif once more. This time, there was no worry in her eyes, only an almost transparent calm and a tender sense of farewell.
"Go live your own life. You still have a long road ahead of you, my dear child." Her voice was soft, but